Respiratory equipment packaging and a packaging insert for respiratory equipment

ABSTRACT

Respiratory equipment packaging and insert for a respiratory interface assembly having a respiratory interface and headgear. The packaging includes a first pocket having a first opening, and being configured to enclose and sealing retain at least the respiratory interface and the headgear of the respiratory assembly, and a second pocket, adjacent the first pocket and having a second opening. The second pocket is configured to receive an auxiliary device intended for use with, or comprising part of, the respiratory interface assembly, such as a mask size measuring device. The insert is configured to support the respiratory interface in an upright orientation and includes at least one slot configured to receive a strap of the headgear of the respiratory interface assembly.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO ANY PRIORITY APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. provisional application62/310,180 filed 18 Mar. 2016, the entire contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference herein and made a part of the presentdisclosure.

BACKGROUND Field

This disclosure relates to respiratory equipment packaging for packaginga respiratory interface assembly comprising a respiratory interface andheadgear mounted to the interface. In another aspect, the disclosurerelates to a packaging insert on which a respiratory interface assemblycan be retained for carrying, and/or to facilitate insertion into, andremoval from, respiratory equipment packaging.

Description of Related Art

A respiratory interface assembly typically comprises a respiratoryinterface to which headgear is mounted, sometimes releasably. Theheadgear comprises one or more straps which connect to the interface andwhich extend over or around the head of the patient to retain theinterface on the patient's head, with sufficient tension to ensure theinterface is kept in the desired position and orientation, and to ensurean adequate seal, if a seal is required.

The respiratory interface may comprise any one of:

-   -   a) a full face mask comprising a mask frame and a cushion        configured to seal around the patient's nose and mouth;    -   b) an oral mask comprising a mask frame and a cushion configured        to seal around the patient's mouth;    -   c) a nasal mask comprising a mask frame and a cushion configured        to seal around the patient's nose;    -   d) a nasal cannula having one or more prongs for insertion into        the patient's nares;    -   e) a nasal mask comprising one or more nasal pillows configured        to seal against the patient's nose; and    -   f) a hybrid mask comprising a combination of nasal        pillows/prongs and an oral seal.

The respiratory interface and headgear are typically supplied in asealed packaging, such as a clear plastic packet or bag. It is importantand often regulated that when used in a medical environment such as ahospital or the like, the parts of the respiratory interface that willcome into contact with the patient's skin must be kept sealed in a cleanand contaminant free condition until placed on the face of the patient.In particular, it is important that no exposed part of the healthcareprovider, such as a nurse or other medical professional, touches theskin contacting parts of the respiratory interface. However, because ofthe practical difficulty in opening the sterile packaging, continuing tohold the packaging and simultaneously trying to remove the respiratoryassembly from the packaging, it can often be the case that the medicalprofessional accidentally touches a skin contacting part of therespiratory interface, destroying the cleanliness of that product andmeaning that, in some instances, the respiratory interface assembly hasto be discarded, or at least undergo extensive cleaning and/orsterilisation, if required. In some parts of a hospital, use andhandling of a respiratory interface which is not, or may not be,contaminant free may be hazardous.

Likewise, it is often the case that the packaging includes some sizingdevice, such as a cardboard sizing guide, to determine which size ofrespiratory interface and headgear should be used with the patient inquestion, it typically being the case that there may be two or moresizes of interface and headgear. If a medical professional opens thesterile packaging, removes the sizing guide and then determines that adifferent size of interface and headgear is in fact required for thepatient concerned, the interface and headgear is no longer sterile andmust be discarded and another sterile packet opened for the correctsize.

Not only is the above time consuming for the medical professional, italso results in a significant number of respiratory interfaces andheadgear being thrown away, either because they are the wrong size, orbecause they are no longer considered sterile.

SUMMARY

It is therefore an object of one or more embodiments of the disclosureto provide improved packaging and/or a packaging insert which overcomeor at least ameliorate one or more disadvantages of the prior art, oralternatively at least provide the public with a useful choice.

Further objects of the disclosure will become apparent from thefollowing description.

Accordingly in one aspect, an embodiment involves respiratory equipmentpackaging for packaging a respiratory interface assembly, the packagingcomprising a first pocket having a first opening, and being configuredto receive and sealingly enclose the respiratory interface assembly suchthat the respiratory interface assembly can be sealed in the firstpocket in a clean condition, the packaging further comprising a secondpocket, adjacent the first pocket and having a second opening, thesecond pocket being configured to receive an auxiliary device intendedfor use with, or comprising part of, the respiratory interface assembly.Each opening comprises a respective closure configured to close eachopening.

In some configurations, the first pocket may be dimensioned to receiveand sealingly enclose a respiratory interface assembly comprising atleast a respiratory interface and headgear. The first pocket may belarger than the second pocket in terms of at least one of: height,width, depth and volume. Each pocket may be opened and closedindependently of the other. That is, one pocket can be opened whilst theother pocket remains closed.

In some configurations, each closure may comprise a seal configured toenable the contents of each pocket to be sealed therein in a cleancondition. The seal, or each seal, may be reusable. At least one closuremay comprise a reusable closure configured such that at least one pocketcan be repeatedly opened and closed. One or more of the openings may beprovided with a pull tab configured to be pulled to open the associatedpocket.

In some configurations, the packaging may further comprise at least oneregion of predetermined weakness configured such that one part of thepackaging may be removed from another part of the packaging byseparation at the region of predetermined weakness. The at least oneregion of predetermined weakness may be provided between the two pocketssuch that one pocket may be separated from the other pocket byseparation at the region of predetermined weakness. The at least oneregion, or another region, of predetermined weakness may be provided atthe second pocket such that the second pocket may be opened byseparation of part of the packaging at the region of predeterminedweakness. A plurality of regions of predetermined weakness may beprovided to enable different parts of the packaging to be separated.

In some configurations, at least one additional pocket may be provided.

In some configurations, the packaging may be formed of a plasticmaterial and may be formed from a single sheet of material. In someexamples the material is a flexible material. In some examples, thepackaging comprises a bag of a flexible material.

In some configurations, the packaging is configured such that the firstpocket is dimensioned to receive headgear and a respiratory interfaceselected from the group comprising:

-   -   a) a full face mask comprising a mask frame and a cushion        configured to seal around the patient's nose and mouth;    -   b) a nasal mask comprising a mask frame and a cushion configured        to seal around the patient's nose; and    -   c) a nasal cannula having one or more prongs for insertion into        the patient's nares.    -   d) The packaging is preferably configured such that the second        pocket is dimensioned to receive an auxiliary device selected        from the group comprising:    -   e) operating instructions for operating the respiratory        interface assembly; and    -   f) a planar mask size measuring guide.

In another aspect, an embodiment involves a packaged respiratoryinterface assembly comprising packaging as described in any of thepreceding paragraphs of this section, and further comprising arespiratory interface and headgear sealingly enclosed in the firstpocket, and an auxiliary device contained in the second pocket.

In a further aspect, an embodiment involves a packaging insertconfigured to retain a respiratory interface assembly prior to insertingthe insert and respiratory interface assembly into suitable packaging,the insert comprising an elongate support having a notional longitudinalaxis, an upper part, a lower part, and opposed, spaced apart sidesextending between the upper and lower parts, the support furthercomprising a headgear retaining slot formed in or at each side, eachslot being elongate and comprising a width that is dimensioned toreceive and retain part of a strap of the headgear, each slot furthercomprising a closed end and an open end, and being configured such thatwhen, in use, the insert is picked up by one hand of a user with theupper part of the insert uppermost, each slot is downwardly directedsuch that the open end is open towards the lower part of the insert suchthat the user can use their other hand to grip the respiratory interfaceand pull downwardly to release the headgear from the slots.

According to another aspect, an embodiment involves a packaging insertconfigured to retain a respiratory interface assembly, the insertcomprising:

-   -   an elongate support having a notional longitudinal axis, an        upper part, a lower part, and opposed, spaced apart sides        extending between the upper and lower parts, the support further        comprising a headgear retaining slot formed in or at each side,        each slot being elongate, each slot further comprising a closed        end and an open end, wherein each slot is downwardly directed        such that the open end is open towards the lower part of the        insert.

In some configurations, the support further comprises at least oneretaining arm depending from at least one side, at least one slot beingdefined between the retaining arm and the side of the support.

In some configurations, the insert may comprise four retaining arms andfour slots, there being an upper and a lower retaining arm and an upperand lower slot on each side of the support.

In some configurations, at least one arm or side may comprise aninwardly directed retaining portion, adjacent the open end of the slot,and which defines a reduced width portion of the slot adjacent theretaining portion, the reduced width portion being configured to helpretain a strap of the headgear in the slot. The other of each arm orside of the support may comprise an indented portion adjacent theinwardly directed retaining portion, and configured, with the retainingportion, to define a circuitous path into the slot.

In some configurations, at least one slot comprises an inclined portion,adjacent the open end of the slot, the inclined portion defining awidening mouth of the slot configured to facilitate insertion of a strapof the headgear into the slot, the widening mouth leading to a narrowerelongate portion in which the strap of the headgear is retained.

Each slot has a respective longitudinal axis, and in some examples thelongitudinal axis of at least one slot is parallel with the longitudinalaxis of the support. The longitudinal axis of each slot may be parallelwith the longitudinal axis of the support. In other examples, thelongitudinal axis of at least one slot may be inclined with respect tothe longitudinal axis of the support. The longitudinal axis of each slotmay be inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the support.

In some configurations, the insert further comprises a carry handle ator adjacent the upper part of the support.

In some configurations, the support is generally oblong, and maycomprise a wider upper part and a narrower lower part. At least part ofthe sides of the support may be substantially straight and parallel. Atleast part of the sides of the support may be arcuate.

In some configurations, the lower part of the support preferablycomprises a foot of the support. This can assist in keeping the supportupright during transit and/or storage.

Accordingly in one aspect, an embodiment involves respiratory equipmentpackaging for packaging a respiratory interface assembly retained on apackaging insert of any of the above statements of invention.

According to a further aspect, an embodiment involves a packagedrespiratory interface assembly comprising packaging as described in anyof the preceding paragraphs of this section, and further comprising aninsert as described in any of the preceding paragraphs of this section,a respiratory interface and headgear mounted on the insert and sealinglyenclosed in the first pocket, the assembly further comprising anauxiliary device contained in the second pocket.

Further aspects of the invention, which should be considered in all itsnovel aspects, will become apparent from the following description.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout thedescription, the words “comprise”, “comprising”, and the like, are to beconstrued in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustivesense, that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.

Although the disclosure describes examples and reference to possibleembodiments, it is to be understood that modifications or improvementsmay be made thereto without departing from the scope of the disclosure.Embodiments of the invention may also be said broadly to consist in theparts, elements and features referred to or indicated in thespecification of the application, individually or collectively, in anyor all combinations of two or more of said parts, elements or features.Furthermore, where reference has been made to specific components orintegers of the disclosed embodiments having known equivalents, thensuch equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should inno way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely knownor forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A number of embodiments of the disclosure will now be described by wayof example with reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a first embodiment of respiratory equipmentpackaging.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a top part of the packaging of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a lower part of the packaging of FIGS. 1and 2.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a blank used to form the packaging of FIGS. 1to 3.

FIG. 5 is a front view of an auxiliary device comprising a size guidewhich can be included in packaging in accordance with embodimentsdisclosed herein.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the size guide of FIG. 5 in use.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a first embodiment of a packaging insert.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the packaging insert of FIG. 7 on which arespiratory interface assembly is mounted.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a further embodiment of a packaging insert.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of another embodiment of a packaging insert.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of yet another embodiment of a packaging insert.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Throughout the description like reference numerals will be used to referto like features in different embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, there is provided respiratory equipmentpackaging 1 for packaging a respiratory interface assembly 3 comprisingat least a respiratory interface 5 and headgear 7 for mounting therespiratory interface 5 on the face of a patient. The packaging 1comprises a first pocket 11 having a first opening 13, and beingconfigured to enclose and sealing retain at least the respiratoryinterface 5 and the headgear 7 of the respiratory assembly, and a secondpocket 15, adjacent the first pocket 11 and having a second opening 17.The first pocket 11 is relatively large as compared to the second pocket15. The second pocket 15 is configured to receive an auxiliary device 19intended for use with, or comprising part of, the respiratory interfaceassembly 3.

With additional reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, in this example, theauxiliary device 19 comprises a planar mask size measuring guideconfigured to be placed against the face of the patient to determine thesize of patient interface appropriate for the patient concerned. Themeasuring guide 19 comprises a planar body 21, one side margin 23 ofwhich is profiled to broadly match the shape, in profile, of thenasal-oral region of a patient's face. The guide 19 comprises indicia 25which indicate to the user which size of respiratory assembly should beused, when an eye alignment mark or line 24 is vertically aligned withthe patient's eye line. This mark or line 24 is a reference point orreference line that is aligned with the nasion intersection of apatient's face, that is, the location on the nasal bridge in between theeyes. This mark or line 24 acts as a reference point that is alignedfirst, the size of respiratory assembly 3 being determined by placingthe reference line 24 on the nasion intersection. This occurs when theupper rounded protruding part 26 of the body 21 is resting on the nasalbridge of the patient, and identifies the center of the eye of thepatient. This provides a reference point for all other measurementsregarding the size of patient interface required for the patientconcerned.

The packaging 1 in this example is generally oblong with oblong pockets11, 15. The pockets 11, 15 are the same width, but different heights,lower pocket 11 being larger in this example than the upper pocket 15.The pockets 11, 15 may differ in size in terms of height and/or widthand/or depth, and/or volume. The packaging 1 in this example comprises abag formed from a flexible material which in this example is anairtight, transparent plastics material. The openings 13 and 17 areelongate and each extend across the width of the packaging. The pockets11, 15 could be any other desired shape, and one or more of the pockets11, 15 may for example be square, the shape and size being selected tocorrespond to the type and/or size and/or shape of the particularrespiratory assembly 3 with which the packaging 1 is used.

Each opening 13, 17 is provided with a closure 14, 18. In this example,the closure 14 of the opening 13 comprises a single use sealing stripwhich seals the larger pocket 11 closed and which can be torn open toaccess the larger pocket 11. In this example, the closure 18 of theopening 17 comprises a repeated use sealing closure of the typecomprising two spaced apart lips which can he releasably sealed togetherusing a slider 18 a which can be slid along the lips from one side ofthe packaging to the other to force the two lips together. Each opening13, 17 may be provided with any suitable type of closure. Each closuremay be single use or repeated use. One or both closures may be a sealingclosure configured to seal the respective pocket when closed, and one orboth closures may be a resealable closure. Other examples of closuresthat might be used include zips, poppers, hook and loop type fasteners,and/or buttons on one part of the opening that are received incorresponding button holes on another part of the opening.

With reference to FIG. 4, the packaging 1 may be formed from a singleblank of material which is folded and the seams secured together usingany suitable technique which may include hot or cold adhesive or hotplate welding, for example.

The larger and smaller pockets 11, 15 may be releasably secured togetherso that one pocket 11, 15 can be removed from the other. For example, afirst region of predetermined weakness, such as a perforated tear line29, may be provided between the two pockets 11, 15 so that one pocket 11can be torn from the other pocket 15. In one example, the larger andsmaller pockets 11, 15 may be separable, for example by being torn apartalong a line of predetermined weakness, with the opening of each pocket11, 15 being provided with a resealable closure (such as the closures 14and 18 of FIGS. 1-3). Thus, each pocket 11, 15 can be opened andresealed repeatedly, and independently of the other, even when thepocket 11 has been separated from the pocket 15.

A second region of predetermined weakness, such as perforated tear line29A, may be provided at the top of upper, smaller pocket 15. The dualpocket packaging 1 thus includes a pair of tear off zones. The uppertear line 29A can be used to open the upper pocket 15 to access themeasuring guide 19 while maintaining the lower, larger pocket 11containing the respiratory assembly 3 in a sealed configuration. Thesecond or lower tear line 29 can be used to open the respiratoryassembly pocket 11 to access the respiratory assembly 3 whilemaintaining the measuring guide pocket 15 in a sealed configuration.

It is intended that the upper smaller pocket 15 contains equipmentauxiliary to the respiratory interface assembly 3, and which might beused prior to needing to decide on which size of respiratory interfaceis required, and therefore prior to opening the larger pocket 11. Inthis example, the sizing guide 19 can be removed from the upper pocket15 and used to determine the size of interface required. If an interfaceis required which is different from the size contained in the lowerpocket 11, the lower pocket 11 can remain sealed closed and anotherpackaging assembly selected containing the correct size of interface.Thus, a medical professional need not throw away an entire patientinterface assembly when they determine that a different size isrequired, as only the upper pocket 15 need be opened to make thatdetermination.

The packaging 1 may include a slot or hook 100 or other deviceconfigured to enable the packaging 1 to be hung in a storage location,for example near a patient bedside, or in a storage location.

One or more of the openings 13, 17 may be provided with a pull tab, loopor hand grip region configured to be gripped and pulled to open theassociated pocket 11, 15.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 to 11, a packaging insert 31 is provided onwhich the respiratory interface assembly 3 may be mounted and retainedprior to inserting the insert 31 and respiratory interface assembly 3into suitable packaging 1, as described above with reference to FIGS. 1to 4.

The insert 31 comprises a substantially planar elongate support 33having a notional longitudinal axis 35, an upper part 37, a lower part39, and opposed, spaced apart sides 41 extending between the upper andlower parts 37, 39. At least one pair of retaining arms 43 depends fromeach side 41. The lower part 39 comprises a straight region whichfunctions as a foot 40. The foot 40 extends below the lowest part of therespiratory interface assembly 3 when mounted on the insert 31. The foot40 is shaped to support the insert 31 in an upright position duringtransport and during storage. The stability provided by the foot 40ensures the respiratory interface assembly 3 and insert 31 are protectedto some degree during transport and storage. The flat shape of the foot40 allows the insert 31 to be stood up vertically. This is advantageousbecause the respiratory interface assembly 3 is presented to the nursein an in-use state, that is, with the respiratory interface assembly 3in the orientation in which the assembly 3 would be used. This providesthe nurse with a visual cue as to the visual orientation of therespiratory interface assembly 3 so that the nurse receives a visualindication of how the respiratory interface assembly 3 should look, whenused on a patient. The respiratory interface assembly 3 is thereforepresented and stored in an in-use state on the insert 31 to provide avisual guide to the nurse.

The insert 31 may be made from a cardboard material, or a plasticsmaterial for example. The insert 31 may be configured to be disposable.

A headgear retaining slot 44 is defined between each retaining arm 43and the respective side 41, each slot 44 being elongate and having awidth 45, see FIG. 11, between the respect retaining arm 43 and side 41dimensioned to receive and retain a strap 7A of the headgear 7. Eachslot 44 further comprises a closed end 47 and an opening or mouth 49.The mouth 49 is open towards the lower part 39 of the insert 31 suchthat when the insert 31 is picked up by one hand of a user with theupper part 37 of the insert uppermost, the user can use their other handto grip the respiratory interface 5 and pull downwardly to release theheadgear 7 from the slots 44. A carrying handle 46 may be provided toassist one handed handling of the insert 31.

With additional reference to FIG. 8, this configuration, with every slot44 being generally downwardly directed with the opening or mouth 49 ofthe slot 44 being lowermost, ensures that a user only has to grip therespiratory interface assembly with one hand, with the other handholding the insert 31. Provided the user grips a non-face contactingportion of the interface 3, there is no possibility of the userinadvertently touching a face contacting portion of the interface 3 withthe resulting undesirable loss of sterility. There is also no need forthe user to grip the headgear 7 itself, which again minimizes anypossibility of inadvertently touching the face contacting parts of theinterface 3. The insert 31 may comprise a handle 46 at the upper end 37to further facilitate single handed holding of the insert 31.

The width of each slot 44, in a direction generally perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis 35 between each side 41 of the support and each arm43, can be selected to ensure a suitable retaining force is exerted onthe headgear straps 7A whilst also enabling the strap 7A to be insertedinto, and subsequently pulled from, each slot 44 when required. Thisdimension may be determined with reference to the ratio of the width ofthe strap 7A to the width of the slot 44 for example.

One or more slots 44 may be provided with additional retaining featuresconfigured to help retain each headgear strap 7A in the respective slot44.

With reference to FIG. 7, each slot 44 comprises an inwardly directedretaining portion 51 adjacent the opening 49 of the slot and projectingradially into the slot 44 to reduce the width of the slot 44 adjacentthe slot opening or mouth 49. The retaining portion 51, because of thenarrower width of the slot 44 in that region, exerts an additionalretaining force on the headgear strap 7A to help retain the headgear onthe insert 31. In this embodiment, the insert 31 is generally oblong andcomprises a wider upper part 37 and a narrower lower part 39. Each slot44 has a longitudinal axis and in this example these axes are parallelto the longitudinal axis 35 of the insert 31. Each slot 44 comprises apair of parallel walls.

Each opening 49 is defined in part by an inclined region 49A of the slot44, the region 49A being inclined relative to the longitudinal axis 35of the insert 31 preferably between 30 and 55 degrees, and in oneembodiment by about 45 degrees. The inclined region 49A and opening 49function as a lead-in to the slot 44, by a defining a widened mouth tosimplify and facilitate inserting straps 7A into the slots 44.

With reference to FIG. 9, the retaining portion 51 may be positionedadjacent a corresponding indent 53 formed in the sides 41. The retainingportion 51 and indent 53 comprise a region of narrowed width forming acircuitous path for the headgear strap 7A at the mouth opening 49 ofeach slot 44. This circuitous path may help to retain the strap 7A ineach slot 44. In this example, the elongate part of each slot 44comprises an arcuate wall and an opposed straight wall, being thestraight side 41 of the insert 31. The slots 44 in this exampletherefore have non-parallel walls.

With reference to FIG. 10, in this example the longitudinal axis of eachslot 44 is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis 35 of the insert31. The upper pair of slots 44 are inclined outwardly, whereas the lowerpair of slots 44 are inclined inwardly. In this example the upper andlower parts 37, 39 of the support 33 are of similar width, with anintermediate region of the insert 31 being of greater width. The lowerpart 39 in this example comprises arcuate sides which arc into asubstantially straight support base region such that the foot 40 has astraight bottom surface. The slots 44 in this example have generallyparallel but arcuate walls. In this example, the opening or mouth 49 ofeach slot 44 comprises an inclined region 49A such that the mouth 49 isrelatively wide to facilitate insertion of the headgear strap 7A intothe slots 44.

With reference to FIG. 11, a further embodiment of the insert 31comprises a pair of upper slots 44 whose longitudinal axes are generallyparallel to the longitudinal axis 35 of the insert 31, and a pair oflower slots 44 whose longitudinal axes are inwardly inclined relative tothe longitudinal axis 35 of the insert 31. In this example, the openingor mouth 49 of each slot 44 comprises an inclined region 49A as with theexample of FIG. 10 above. FIG. 11 shows an insert 31 having dimensionswhich may provide a good balance between retaining the headgear 7 on theinsert 31 as the insert 31 is removed from the packaging 1, and alsoallowing the headgear 7 to be relatively easily removed from the insert31 with one hand as described above.

The ratio of the width of each slot 44 as compared to width of theheadgear strap 7A may be between 0.1 and 1.0, preferably 0.2-0.9 and, inone embodiment, is between 0.4-0.7. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, thewidth of each slot 44 is smaller than the width of the headgear straps7A. Alternatively, the straps of the headgear may be between 1.2 to 3times wider than the slot width, preferably 1.3 to 2.8, and in oneembodiment are between 1.5 to 2.5 times wider than the slot width. Eachslot 44 is preferably narrower than the headgear strap width in order tocompress the strap to hold the strap 7A within the slot 44 via afriction fit. However, the width of each slot 44 is such that it stillallows for relatively easy removal of the strap 7A from the slot 44. Thewidth ratio is such that the straps 7A are gripped within the slots 44such that the straps 7A resist falling out of the slots 44 duringtransportation for example. In some configurations, the slots 44 mayeach have a width of between about 3-6 mm, 4-5 mm or about 4.5 mm. Theinsert 31 can have an overall height of between about 250-275 mm, orabout 265 mm (e.g., 262 mm) and a width at an intermediate sectionbetween the upper and lower slots 44 of between about 150-170 mm, orabout 160 mm (e.g., 159 mm). A depth of the mouth 49 of the slot 44 canbe about 10-20 mm, about 15-17 mm, or about 16 mm (e.g., 15.88 mm). Thedepth and spacing of the slots 44 can be related to the height of theheadgear straps 7A and the spacing of the headgear straps 7A on theinterface 5.

The height of the handle aperture 46 at the top of the insert 31 (i.e.the handle that is gripped by the nurse to pull out the insert 31) ispreferably between 20 mm and 40 mm. The lower end of the range isselected so that the nurse's fingers can be comfortably inserted andcurled around the handle 46 to grip the handle 46. The upper end of therange is to ensure that the overall height of the insert 31 is minimizedto reduce the amount of material used for the insert 31. The handle 46extends above the upper portion of the mask that is retained on theinsert 31, so that the nurse can grasp the handle 46 without contactingthe mask. The handle 46 is also configured so that the nurse can removethe insert 31 one handed. These dimensions are not limiting and otherdimensions and dimension combinations are within the scope of theinvention.

The overall size and shape of the insert 31 may be chosen so as tominimize the amount of material needed to create the insert 31. If theinsert 31 is stamped or cut from a larger sheet of material, the shapeof the insert 31 may be designed to minimize the amount of materialwasted between adjacent inserts 31 on the sheet.

With the examples of FIGS. 7 to 11, each insert 31 comprises an upperpair of slots 44 and a lower pair of slots 44. However, in otherembodiments only a single pair of slots 44 may be provided. This wouldbe appropriate in the case of a typically smaller respiratory assembly 3having headgear having only one strap rather than a pair of straps. Forexample, a respiratory assembly comprising a patient interface in theform of a nasal cannula, nasal pillows, or other type of nasal mask,might have headgear which only has one strap, rather than the upper andlower straps that might be provided on a full-face mask for example.

In a yet further example, the sides 41 of the insert 31 may comprise aninwardly directed retaining portion adjacent the opening 49 of each slot44 and projecting radially into the slot 44 to reduce the width of theslot 44 adjacent the slot opening or mouth 49. In this example, the slot44 may be formed with a corresponding concave region, or a planarregion, opposite the inwardly directed retaining portion of the sides 41to reduce the width of the slot 44 to facilitate retention of theheadgear strap 7A in the slot 44.

Although the present invention has been described in terms of certainembodiments, other embodiments apparent to those of ordinary skill inthe art also are within the scope of this invention. Thus, variouschanges and modifications may be made without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention. For instance, various components may berepositioned as desired. Moreover, not all of the features, aspects andadvantages are necessarily required to practice the present invention.Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to bedefined only by the claims that follow.

1. A packaging insert configured to retain a respiratory interfaceassembly prior to inserting the insert and respiratory interfaceassembly into suitable packaging, the insert comprising: an elongatesupport having a notional longitudinal axis, an upper part, a lowerpart, and opposed, spaced apart sides extending between the upper andlower parts, the support further comprising a headgear retaining slotformed in or at each side, each slot being elongate and comprising awidth that is dimensioned to receive and retain part of a strap of theheadgear, each slot further comprising a closed end and an open end, andbeing configured such that when, in use, the insert is picked up by onehand of a user with the upper part of the insert uppermost, each slot isdownwardly directed such that the open end is open towards the lowerpart of the insert such that the user can use their other hand to gripthe respiratory interface and pull downwardly to release the headgearfrom the slots.
 2. The packaging insert of claim 1, wherein the supportfurther comprises at least one retaining arm depending from at least oneside, at least one slot being defined between the retaining arm and theside of the support.
 3. The insert of claim 2, wherein the at least oneretaining arm comprises four retaining arms and the at least one slotcomprises four slots, there being an upper and a lower retaining arm andan upper and lower slot on each side of the support.
 4. The insert ofclaim 2, wherein at least one arm or side of the support comprises aninwardly directed retaining portion, adjacent the open end of the slot,and which defines a reduced width portion of the slot adjacent theretaining portion, the reduced width portion being configured to helpretain a strap of the headgear in the slot.
 5. The insert of claim 4,wherein the other of the arm or side of the support comprises anindented portion adjacent the inwardly directed retaining portion, andconfigured with the retaining portion to define a circuitous path intothe slot.
 6. The insert of claim 1, wherein at least one slot comprisesan inclined portion, adjacent the open end of the slot, the inclinedportion defining a widening mouth of the slot configured to facilitateinsertion of a strap of the headgear into the slot, the widening mouthleading to a narrower elongate portion in which the strap of theheadgear is retained.
 7. The insert of claim 6, wherein each slot has arespective longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal axis of at leastone slot is parallel with the longitudinal axis of the support.
 8. Theinsert of claim 7, wherein the longitudinal axis of each slot isparallel with the longitudinal axis of the support.
 9. The insert ofclaim 1, wherein each slot has a respective longitudinal axis, whereinthe longitudinal axis of at least one slot is inclined with respect tothe longitudinal axis of the support.
 10. The insert of claim 9, whereinthe longitudinal axis of each slot is inclined with respect to thelongitudinal axis of the support.
 11. The insert of claim 1, andpackaging configured to receive the insert.
 12. The insert of claim 11wherein the packaging is a bag.
 13. The insert of claim 11 wherein thepackaging comprises a pocket configured to receive the insert, and aclosure configured to close the pocket. 14-23. (canceled)
 24. Apackaging insert configured to retain a respiratory interface assembly,the insert comprising: an elongate support having a notionallongitudinal axis, an upper part, a lower part, and opposed, spacedapart sides extending between the upper and lower parts, the supportfurther comprising a headgear retaining slot formed in or at each side,each slot being elongate, each slot further comprising a closed end andan open end, wherein each slot is downwardly directed such that the openend is open towards the lower part of the insert.
 25. The packaginginsert of claim 24, wherein the support further comprises at least oneretaining arm depending from at least one side, at least one slot beingdefined between the retaining arm and the side of the support.
 26. Theinsert of claim 24, comprising four retaining arms and four slots, therebeing an upper and a lower retaining arm and an upper and lower slot oneach side of the support.
 27. The insert of claim 25, wherein at leastone arm or side of the support comprises an inwardly directed retainingportion, adjacent the open end of the slot, and which defines a reducedwidth portion of the slot adjacent the retaining portion, the reducedwidth portion being configured to help retain a strap of the headgear inthe slot.
 28. The insert of claim 27, wherein the other of the arm orside of the support comprises an indented portion adjacent the inwardlydirected retaining portion, and configured with the retaining portion todefine a circuitous path into the slot.
 29. The insert of claim 24,wherein at least one slot comprises an inclined portion, adjacent theopen end of the slot, the inclined portion defining a widening mouth ofthe slot configured to facilitate insertion of a strap of the headgearinto the slot, the widening mouth leading to a narrower elongate portionin which the strap of the headgear is retained.
 30. The insert of claim24, wherein each slot has a respective longitudinal axis, wherein thelongitudinal axis of at least one slot is parallel with the longitudinalaxis of the support.
 31. The insert of claim 30, wherein thelongitudinal axis of each slot is parallel with the longitudinal axis ofthe support.
 32. The insert of claim 24, wherein each slot has arespective longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal axis of at leastone slot is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of thesupport.
 33. The insert of claim 32, wherein the longitudinal axis ofeach slot is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of thesupport.